A Thamesmead comedy night was no laughing matter for Greenwich police who intervened following a series of riotous raves at a nearby industrial estate.

Laugh It Out 4 God Sake - a nine-hour event promising "a unique evening of laughter with live comedy", a red carpet, African dancers and DJs - was due to be held at the Doric Centre in Kellner Road over the bank holiday weekend.

But having found a flyer for the night after raiding a nearby rave in Abbey Wood, Greenwich police objected to it, citing fears over public safety and disorder.

In a report to Greenwich Council, licensing officer PC Jason Coombes warned that police had recently been called to Abbey Wood's Lyndean Industrial Estate, following a series of illegal parties.

Along with a flyer for the Thamesmead comedy, crates of expensive booze like Hennessey whisky and champagne were seized by police from one party - run by old school club night organisers Nightshift London - which was being held without a licence in a warehouse.

PC Coombes wrote: "When police attended the last venue in Lyndean, the police were aware that there were drapes hung around the exterior walls of the venue.

"The drapes covered the rear single fire exit that had been bolted shut and was not considered suitable for a large number of persons use."

Police intervention means the Laugh It Out comedy night - charging people up to £50 per head to see acts including Jazzee Phizzle and Akpos the Comedian - will now not go ahead as planned.

PC Coombes said: "Although this is in a different location, the police would still draw comparisons as to the possible use and decoration of these venues. The public safety aspect alone is a major cause for concern."

He added: "The police have no knowledge of the venue or the applicant and they have not given any details or information of other events run or organised by them.

"This leads to the police having an overriding concern as to how the event will be run."

Comments (3)

In Abbey Wood people have been ignoring the law for years at the industrial estates without any planning permission and nothing has happened. Setting up churches and centres on industrial estates, harming other businesses and causing big parking problems as many arrive by car, which then additionally cause problems with bad parking.

There's plenty of places to hire legally so its good the police finally did something as these nights go on till about 4am. Wouldn't even be bad on a weekend but its done on Sunday nights sometimes. Just wounder why Greenwich council did little for years.

In Abbey Wood people have been ignoring the law for years at the industrial estates without any planning permission and nothing has happened. Setting up churches and centres on industrial estates, harming other businesses and causing big parking problems as many arrive by car, which then additionally cause problems with bad parking.
There's plenty of places to hire legally so its good the police finally did something as these nights go on till about 4am. Wouldn't even be bad on a weekend but its done on Sunday nights sometimes. Just wounder why Greenwich council did little for years.JJ4000

nevermind happens to lots of people.... 'Akpos the Comedian' £50 a ticket haha i would say those who paid got ripped off i've personalyl never heard of him as i'm sure most readers on NS havent.

nevermind happens to lots of people.... 'Akpos the Comedian' £50 a ticket haha i would say those who paid got ripped off i've personalyl never heard of him as i'm sure most readers on NS havent.kentlad

Se this on youtube http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=YV-pje-3T
wA it explains why he has to have 'the comedian' after his name. If this is what passes for comedy in Nigeria then none of our comedians will lose any sleep. What idiot would go and see acts at a venue like that anyway? Unless they are **** and can't get exposure through conventional routes

Se this on youtube http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=YV-pje-3T
wA it explains why he has to have 'the comedian' after his name. If this is what passes for comedy in Nigeria then none of our comedians will lose any sleep. What idiot would go and see acts at a venue like that anyway? Unless they are **** and can't get exposure through conventional routesOutandabout